A while back, we reported on the successes and shortcomings of COP15, and how global governments and economies were (and were not) impacted by some of the key agreements reached at the summit.

Since Copenhagen, more and more nations—despite any binding treaty being signed—are focusing on significant reductions in CO2 emissions, intensifying the competition to become the world's first carbon neutral destinations in the so-called "Carbon World Cup".

Current contenders include Costa Rica, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Maldives, and Monaco—countries that are implementing very innovating programs and policies to reach their climate neutral goal.

Costa Rica recently announced the launch of their Climate Conscious Travel program, which is designed to allow the tourism industry to share the costs of offering a carbon offsetting program to visitors while allowing tourism entities to assume responsibility for the industry's CO2 production.

Because tourism is one of Costa Rica's top industries, dealing with effects of carbon emissions from transportation (airlines in particular) has become a top priority. Through this program, the industry will help mitigate the nearly 6.7 million tons of CO2 produced by more than 1.3 million visitors annually.

The Maldives Islands' plan will use renewable energy from solar, wind and waves, to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in their quest to become the first carbon neutral country, and to galvanize their small population of 310,000 to reduce their emissions. It will cost them more than US$110 million dollars a year for ten years to build the infrastructure, which consists of hundreds of wind-turbines and thousands of square meters of solar panels.

While not a rich country (ranked 164th in Gross Domestic Product), the Maldives see the threat to their islands and livelihoods, and are willing to pay the price.

The Maldives are setting a commendable example—especially for richer nations—to do something about a problem that was largely created by industrialized nations. US$110 million is about 9.7% of the Maldives' GDP. If G-20 countries followed the Maldives example, and spent 9.7% of their GDP, they would spend US$4.573 trillion per year to combat climate change.

Travel(eco)nomics

Where travel is concerned, the aviation industry continues to ramp up efforts to reduce their contribution to CO2 emissions. Cheapflights UK recently unveiled Travel(eco)nomics, a report on the state of green travel, and steps travelers can take toward being environmentally responsible.

The report highlights the travel industry's growing environmental consciousness, and the steps the aviation industry is taking to to work toward operating more sustainably. Cheapflights UK also hopes to encourage travelers to take steps to green their own travel by offering this guide to help them do so.

Among its in-depth range of tips and tricks for becoming green, Travel(eco)nomics also picks out the Top 5 eco-loving airlines and the steps they're taking to help the environment.

A few of the highlights include:

• Virgin Atlantic: first to operate a commercial flight partially powered by bio-fuel as well as publicly disclosing its CO2 emissions on its website
• British Airways: industry leader in the development of bio-fuels and set to produce 16 million gallons by 2014
• Continental Airlines: youngest fleet of airplanes in the industry with an average age of barely ten years

The report also highlights that contrary to widely held perceptions, green travel can be very affordable. Simple decisions including packing tips and a choice of eco-friendly destinations will not only help to save the environment, but help to save money too.

For the full report including in-depth tips, top eco-destinations, more on the airlines and a host of other insider information, view the full report at cheapflights.co.uk. To learn how you can join the growing number of travelers and tourism companies that are doing their part to address global climate change by reducing and offsetting their carbon dioxide emissions, visit our website.

www.sustainabletravelinternational.org